Obrátky

Obrátky is a Czech term used primarily in informal contexts to refer to the number of revolutions or turns produced by a rotating object, such as an engine or a machine component. In standard technical language this concept is usually expressed with the word otáčky, and obrátky are generally considered a colloquial or regional variant.

Etymology and usage context

The form obrátky is derived from the Czech verb to turn or to rotate, with a suffix that creates a plural noun referring to the instances of turning. While many speakers use obrátky in everyday speech to talk about how fast something is spinning, technical writing and official specifications typically avoid the term in favor of otáčky or the equivalent English rpm (revolutions per minute).

Relation to otáčky

Otáčky denotes the rate of rotation and is the preferred term in engineering, automotive, and manufacturing contexts. Obrátky may appear in casual conversations, repair shop chatter, or regional dialects, but in formal documentation it is advisable to use otáčky. Some speakers also use obrátky as a rough, approximate measure of speed when precise values are unnecessary.

Measurement and context

When expressed quantitatively, the standard unit is revolutions per minute (min-1 or rpm). For clarity and consistency, specifications typically state the exact value in otáčky za minutu rather than obrátky.

See also

Otáčky, Revolutions per minute, Rotational speed, Mechanical engineering terminology.